Yeah, I'm surprised Eren hasn't snapped. Mind you, I don't think Eren was ever completely sane (recall Eren going slasher on the guys that kidnapped Mikasa?)
(⊙…⊙ )
Eren must be utterly disillusioned... He swore to kick titans' asses to avenge his mother and comrades, only to find out that the titans are just "humans" stuck in a nightmare. I have to say he no longer knows what to fight for. Maybe his sole motivation now is whatever secret that's left behind by his father in the basement in Shiganshina. Tragic story, tsk. This moves me to tears every single frigging time I reread (or rewatch) it.
I agree, he no longer has any target to focus his hate on and motivation was one of the strongest defining factor of his character. Now having losing some of that and we are left with a reticent Eren (╥﹏╥). It shows how much he has withdrawn to himself when Jean was teasing him earlier. Instead of rising to occasion for banter Eren just ignores it. (Jean was so peeved at this)
Yes Eren does want to know what was underneath that basement not for the sake of humanity anymore; but for himself or as the son of Grisha Jaeger.
He will want to know what his father was going to show him before Wall maria fell. So that's probably the only thing keeping him going and straining himself during those training session with Hanji.
I'm pretty sure everyone who joined the Survey Corps has never been sane either. But yeah, there is more than one way to express anger though. Some people take it out on things, or be verbal about it but there are some people who withdraw in themselves. Which is what Eren is doing, although he may seem calm/passive he's probably beating himself down again and again inside his head.
This could also be the reason he keeps pushing himself during hardening training with Hanji. Because every time he becomes a titan he forgets his human self or in this case memories.
It's so disheartening to see how much Eren and the rest of the 104th has changed. Some for the better some worst. A lot of them has grown up to be 'adults' which is kind of sad since they're only like 16+ years old.
There's the positive growth like Historia (or Jean) who's changed a lot since the first arc. Historia seems to be more at peace not necessarily happy but content. She has to do things not because she actually want to do it but she HAS to. Her DUTY; I suppose.
Even Sasha who actually turned down food, FOOD mind you, few chapters back.
But the one that hurts the most to see Eren like this; he used to be like Marlow is now. I will always remember how Grisha asked Eren why he wanted to Join the Corps. It was to see the world outside the walls. But seeing Eren like this, I can’t see that boy anymore. I don’t think he’s given up entirely but being kidnaped again really did take it’s toll on him. I think that there was the belief he had in himself that because he could transform into a titan he (for once) could be invincible; like how the titans are on a wining streak against humanity for a century. But time and time again reality beats him down. The amount of responsibility and guilt he has is crushing him. (╥﹏╥)
And the fact that no one’s noticed the effect this had on Eren, except Levi Heichou.
*clenches fist full of emotions*
*Sobs* THE BAE needs a hug.